Livestock
Gressingham turkeys are free range bronze turkeys, bred from pure bronze stock. They’re slow-grown on farms in East Anglia which adhere to aspects of countryside stewardship, sustainability and environmental management. The slow growth allows the turkeys to become more mature, resulting in a more succulent and flavoursome bird.
The whole supply chain is QBT and Freedom Food approved. A “brood and move” system is the basis of our farming protocol. Birds arrive on the farm as day-old poults direct from the hatchery. After an initial and carefully controlled brooding stage the birds are then often moved to an open “polebarn” where they can enjoy natural daylight and natural, fresh air ventilation as they develop and grow.
Husbandry
Stocking densities are managed to free range levels ensuring that birds have plenty of space to express natural behaviour. Various forms of environmental enrichment are also provided in the houses, such as straw bales, toys and perches along with an area of grassy range. The temperature and air quality within each house is monitored to ensure that birds are kept comfortable at all times and a veterinary health plan is in use on every farm to assist with best practice and preventative routines.
Welfare and husbandry standards cover the whole of the agricultural supply chain from the parent stock (laying birds) and hatchery all the way to the reception and handling at the turkey processing plant.
Feed
The birds are fed on a carefully balanced diet which ensures that they maintain a high state of health, enabling them to thrive in their environment. Their diet is based on wheat and soya with mineral and vitamin supplements and different rations are formulated to suit each stage of the birds development. A typical inclusion would be along the lines of 70% wheat, 25% soya, 5% minerals and vitamins.
Eating Characteristics
Slightly gamey and succulent meat, some dark feather quills can be visible. Turkey meat is naturally low in fat and high in minerals and trace element content.
